2004 Domaine de Bellivire Coteaux du Loir l'Effraie

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slaton

Slaton Lipscomb
A strikingly mature, deep yellow appearance sets the tone right away that this is ready to go. There are developing aromas of matsutake / pine needle, honey, sea salt, and a wonderfully mature palate that follows the nose with pine needle, honey, just-ripe pears and mineral, supported by perfect acidity.

This is delightfully dry, yet maturity has brought about an intense honeyed richness that honestly I'd never have dreamed possible when I first tasted this three years ago. It's really good now, and very long on the back with a salty, almost metallic-mineral finish.

Absolutely the bee's knees for anyone such as myself who loves dry chenin blanc. I sure wish it wasn't my last bottle - and if you have a few, you should really start getting at them soon.

I remember how herbaceous this was on release, and how much I loved it regardless. And I remember being disappointed by how strikingly different Eric's 2005s and 2006s were. How dare they reflect the vintage, right? So I pinned my hope on the 07s. But even those I think are a bit fuller and riper than these 2004s -- although I confess to not having tasted since April.

Anyone tasted '07 Belliviere recently, or even '08?
 
Nicolas Domaine de Bellivire 2008 Jasnires Prmices (Loire) A young vines/transitioning-to-organic vines bottling. So much more approachable in its youth than the typical Bellivire, with honey-infused sun beaming down on an icy, vaguely chalky core. More ice than chalk, though. There might be some tarter citrus pulp and rind hanging about the perimeter, but this is a wine that invites drinking more than study. Still, there's fair firmness as it lingers. I could go through a quantity of this waiting for its much more reserved brethren. (11/09)
 
originally posted by BJ:
I still remember the 02 Eparses. A wine epiphany sort of wine.
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Had the 05 over Thanksgiving. Softer and simpler than other vintages but pleasing as an aperitif. Even got the inlaws excited.
 
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